Democrats block $300 million in relief to provide aid for skyrocketing premiums
SAINT PAUL, MINN— House Republicans wasted no time getting to work on key session priorities, including health care and tax relief. House File 2, which will result in $21.7 million in tax relief for 220,000 Minnesota tax filers by conforming Minnesota's tax code to the federal tax code, passed Thursday on a vote of 130-0.
Republicans also moved to declare an urgency and pass The 2017 Health Care Emergency Aid and Access bill, House File 1, which would have provided premium relief, extended access to doctors for continuity of care, and begun to reform the individual market. Democrats blocked the measure, despite agreeing days earlier to suspend the rules in order to expedite premium relief for Minnesotans.
“House Republicans took action quickly, working to declare an urgency on legislation important to folks in Northwest Minnesota,” said Rep. Dan Fabian (R-Roseau). “While I am glad we were able to pass tax conformity and provide immediate tax relief to Minnesotans, I am frustrated that Democrats blocked essential premium relief for thousands of folks in our area and statewide who have been hurt by MNsure and Obamacare.”
“Thanks to the quick passage of tax conformity legislation today, Minnesotans will see $22 million in tax relief for higher education, homeowners, teachers and families saving for college,” said Rep. Deb Kiel (R-Crookston). “And even though premium relief and meaningful health care reforms were blocked today, expect Republicans to act quickly and work to get it passed off the House Floor soon so that we can begin to remedy our broken health care system and provide essential premium relief to those in need.”
Without quick approval of the federal tax conformity bill (HF2), Minnesotans who file their taxes early could face higher tax bills, a situation all lawmakers wanted to avoid. In order to avoid tax filing complications, the Department of Revenue stated the proposal needs to be signed into law before January 11. The Senate is expected to pass tax conformity in time to meet that deadline.